Bridgestone OE on latest Nürburgring record-breaking Mégane

Renault Sport has chosen Bridgestone’s Potenza RE050A as original equipment for its 265hp Mégane R.S. Trophy, which was released onto the market on June 20. This limited edition of 500 cars is fitted with the Potenza in size 235/35R19; this choice of tyre will, Bridgestone comments, allow the Mégane R.S. Trophy “to reveal its sporty spirit, versatility and comfort.”

The new car and its Bridgestone tyres have already proven what they are capable of; on June 17, the Mégane R.S. Trophy set a new lap record in the front wheel drive category at the Nordschleife (northern loop) of Germany’s renowned Nürburgring circuit. By setting a lap time of 8′ 08″, Mégane R.S. Trophy beat the record if 8’ 17” held since 2008 by Mégane R26.R. “The Nordschleife is a legendary course, unique in terms of its length, technicality and design, which is very different from a traditional circuit,” commented Renault Sport development driver Laurent Hurgon. “The carefully-tuned Cup chassis, the dampers, the Recaro seats, the power of the 265hp engine, the ready availability of torque between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm and the car’s Bridgestone RE050A tyres allowed me to make the most of the car’s enormous potential, especially into and out of the corners.”

Bridgestone began supplying original equipment tyres to Renault in Europe in 2004, when its B250 was selected for the Renault Modus. Since this time the volume of OEM tyres supplied to Renault has continued to grow, and today the tyre maker provides tyres for the Clio, Fluence, Scénic, Modus, Kangoo, Wind, Laguna GT and, of course, the Mégane.

“This prestigious new sporting partnership with Renault is a source of great pride for Bridgestone,” said Didier Schneider, vice-president OE Sales, Bridgestone Europe. “The Potenza RE050A offers essential qualities that are perfectly suited to the highly sporty temperament of the Mégane R.S. Trophy. The record set at Nürburgring proves that the combination is very well matched and in perfect balance.”